Home composting

Composting is inexpensive. It is a natural process that transforms kitchen and garden waste into food for your garden. Use finished compost on flowerbeds, vegetable plots, and for mixing into planters. If you compost at home, you can reduce the amount of rubbish you put out for collection. You also return important nutrients and minerals to your soil. Composting is cheap, it's easy to make, and it's even easier to use. Get composting today!

Discounts and advice

There is a discounted bin scheme for Derbyshire Dales residents. Visit getcomposting.com

Home composting advice is available on the Recycle Now website.

Five simple steps to get composting!

Step one - Placing your bin

It's best to site your bin on a level, well-drained spot. This allows excess water to drain out. It makes it easier for creatures such as worms to get in and get working on breaking down the contents. Placing your bin in a partially sunny spot can help speed up the composting process.

Step two - Put these in!

Your compost relies on the right ingredients to make it work. Good things you can compost include The Greens. These are quick to rot and provide important nitrogen and moisture. The Browns are slower to rot. They provide fibre and carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture.

Greens are vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. Browns are cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper or newspaper, fallen leaves and eggshells.

Step three - Keep these out

  • cooked vegetables
  • meat
  • dairy products
  • diseased plants
  • dog poo or cat litter
  • baby's nappies

Putting these in your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour. Do not compost perennial weeds such as dandelions and thistles or weeds with seed heads.

Step four - Making good compost

The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to keep your Greens and Browns balanced. If your compost is too wet, add more Browns. If it's too dry, add some Greens. Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Add scrunched up cardboard to create air pockets. This will help keep your compost healthy. Mix the contents to add air. After approximately 6-9 months your finished compost will be ready.

Step five - Using your compost

Finished compost is a dark brown, almost black soil-like layer that you'll find at the bottom of your bin. It has a spongy texture and is rich in nutrients. Some bins have a small hatch at the bottom that you can remove to get at the finished product. Sometimes it's even easier to lift the bin or to tip it over to get at your compost. Spreading the finished compost into your flowerbeds improves soil quality. It helps keep moisture and suppressing weeds. Composting is the easiest way to make your garden grow more beautiful.

For further advice, hints, tips and information please visit Recycle Now.

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